New to Linux. How to install linux on a machine not connected to the internet.

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Spuzzana

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Greetings
New to Linux although an old hand with pre windows and windows.
Currently have a laptop that I would like to install Linux Mint on. This laptop is not connected to the internet and all internet access is via my local library. Could anyone inform me on how to download to a USB stick then install on the laptop.

Thank you in advance for your help and advise.
 


Do you mean you don't have ANY means to connect your laptop (temporary) to the internet ?
That would imply that the linux ISO on your usb stick would have to contain ALL packages available, not only for the system but also every possible program that you'll need later on... And how are you going to install the necessary updates later on ?

See this old tread on this website, trying to do the same thing (back in 2020) : https://www.linux.org/threads/offline-software-installation.22733/

Kind regards,
Eddy
 
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Thank you Eddy for your help.

There is no way for me to connect the laptop in question to the internet at the local library as the council do not allow WiFi or other connections to the network.
Bought this laptop specifically to install Linux (distro) with the intention of keeping this particular machine air gapped for security reasons.
As you pointed out ALL packages will have to be on the USB(s), thankfully 2 x 64gb ones.
I'll have a very close look at the suggestions in the thread you have highlighted.

Kind regards
Spuzzana.
 
1] where in the world are you ? do you not have any internet café's or other free Wi-Fi?
2 what is the machine in question [full make and model number]

you can download most distributions and install them from either a pen-drive or DVD, you are taking a small risk that something will nor work but all you can do is try

download in and writing to a DVD or pen drive is quite simple but you do need internet to download in the first place, writing to drive must be done selecting burn as a bootable/iso drive or using Etcher or similar to make as a bootable pen-drive,
 
Guys, umm.......why do y'all find it so HARD to believe that there are still people/places/scenarios/situations where an internet connection is not only NOT desirable, but sometimes it's either impractical or simply isn't wanted?

I'm happy to go online at home, in my own controlled environment - where I have a nice large monitor, a comfy chair, full-sized keyboard & a proper mouse - but you'll not catch me connecting in public, nor will you find me making already dodgy eyesight even worse by squinting at a tiny 5" screen. I don't have a smartphone, nor do I feel the need for one. I just take my trusty old 'dumb-phone' with me. That's as 'reachable' as I want!

If I get the urge to look summat up, it'll wait till I get home. Nothing's so "urgent" that it CAN'T wait.


Mike. o_O
 
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How can you download the Mint ISO without internet access. ?
1735706594053.gif
 
Different machine, Bob.

If I read this correctly the OP's laptop is separate to the rig on which he runs his daily driver.

Is that so, @Spuzzana ? And welcome to linux.org :)

If I am correct, then should not be a problem - Linux Mint can be installed without internet access (take note Eddy, lol), but it will mean that you cannot (easily) receive and/or apply updates.

No security risks there, if there is no internet access.

Cheers

Chris Turner
wizardfromoz
 
wizardfromoz said:
Different machine, Bob.

If I read this correctly the OP's laptop is separate to the rig on which he runs his daily driver.
Click to expand...
Didn't read it that way.
1735708139336.gif
 
There are Distros that you can use that contian most of their programing on the usb install media.
Debian can be done that way and so can OpenSuse. Mint is most likely not Ideal for that situation. But I suppose it can be done. Happy 2025! and Welcome to Linux.org. good luck in your search.
get.opensuse.org

openSUSE Leap 15.6

Learn about the openSUSE distributions and download them for free
get.opensuse.org get.opensuse.org
Click to expand...
download the off line image.
 
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The other option is to buy USB thumb drives with Linux installers already on the drive.

Linux Distros on USB flash drives - Shop Linux Online

Shop Linux Online offers the latest linux distros on premium CD, DVD, and USB flash drives. Linux user manuals also available.
www.shoplinuxonline.com www.shoplinuxonline.com

Shop Linux Online - Linux Distros on CDs, DVDs, USB Flash Drives and Manuals

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www.shoplinuxonline.com www.shoplinuxonline.com


www.ebay.com

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www.ebay.com
 
Lots of good ideas here. Thank you everyone.

To clarify my situation (please note this is a lifestyle choice as much as being forced out of the main stream).

1. I do not have a fixed abode and I do not want to access the internet on a laptop while unable to build a truly secure system (acknowledging that there is no such thing as a 100% secure system).

2. Yes there are coffee shops and so on where I could access the internet (take on board 1 above).

3. I am in the process of writing material that it would not be wise for me to allow to spread over the internet inadvertently until I am ready (hence requiring an air gapped machine).

4. There are no banking facilities available to me anywhere, even the internet as all my bank accounts have been closed (personal choice). I deal strictly in cash for everything to maintain anonymity.

It appears that some of you think that Mint may not be the best for my situation. With that being so maybe you could offer alternatives which may be more suitable.

Mainly interested in ease of use (similar to the windows interface) especially with word processing tools and the ability to manipulate basic graphics into the written word.

I'll get the laptop specs and post in my next reply in a couple of days.
 
OK.. Most distributions that you can use in a "Live" test stream from the USB can be installed, Without knowing the full make and model of the machine I cannot say if you will be susceptible to the vagaries of component compatibility, things you may have problems with without internet to download specific drivers are audio, graphics and wireless connection,
to give the greatest possible compatibility i would suggest Mint LMDE6, it works on most machines from 2008 onwards as it only needs 2Gb ram, but you will still need to source a pen-drive with the ISO written as a bootable drive, so you will need a linux shop,afriend who can download and write the iso for you or internet connection to do it yourself
 
Laptop specs.

Lenovo G550
Model Name 2958
Device name DESKTOP-XXXXXXXXX
Processor Pentium(R) Dual-Core CPU T4400 @ 2.20GHz 2.20 GHz
Installed RAM 4.00 GB
Device ID xxxx,xxxxxxxx....
Product ID xxxxx,xxxxxxx....
System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
Pen and touch No pen or touch input is available for this display

Edition Windows 10 Pro
Version 22H2
Installed on ‎17/‎03/‎2022
OS build 19045.3448
Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.19044.1000.0

If you need specific drivers let me know which ones and I'll post here.
 
Your machine was made early 2010 I am surprised it ran W10 without problems.
I had a T series cpu in my Dell Inspiron [now sadly departed] the best distribution I found LMDE6 ran about as good as it gets, on it

it will have a Broadcom BCM4312 wi-fi, to install drivers for this you will need alternative internet connection [the bcm43** drivers are in the repositories of most distributions] apart from that everything else should work OTB
 
Brickwizard said:
Your machine was made early 2010 I am surprised it ran W10 without problems.
I had a T series cpu in my Dell Inspiron [now sadly departed] the best distribution I found LMDE6 ran about as good as it gets, on it

it will have a Broadcom BCM4312 wi-fi, to install drivers for this you will need alternative internet connection [the bcm43** drivers are in the repositories of most distributions] apart from that everything else should work OTB
Click to expand...
Thank you very much for the time you have spent helping and guiding. May blessings rain upon you all day every day.

The machine was purchased 2nd hand with another Windows OS installed. Got the shop to replace the HD with my own SSD and Win10 from a previous Lenovo ThinkPad which worked great until the MB gave up the ghost :)).

Have downloaded LMDE6 with the two SHA files and gnupg-w32-2.4.7_20241125 and gnupg-w32-2.4.7_20241125.exe.sig via the library onto a USB stick so hopeful that I'll be able to get the OS up and running in short order.
 
Spuzzana said:
Have downloaded LMDE6 with the two SHA files and gnupg-w32-2.4.7_20241125 and gnupg-w32-2.4.7_20241125.exe.sig via the library onto a USB stick so hopeful that I'll be able to get the OS up and running in short order.
Click to expand...
If you have downloaded the raw ISO you will now need to burn it to a dvd-r [at no more than 3x speed] or write it to a second USB as a bootable image using Rufus [if the machine is running windows], or balena-etcher [for Linux/Mac machines]
 
When you come to run the live pendrive you will need to open the short boot menu, unfortunately Lenovo never made things easy in that the short boot key could be any of F8,F10,or F12 . Start with F12 as this is most common.
 
Thank you to everyone who has assisted in getting Linux installed on my laptop. Woo Hoo.

All I need to do now is start shaping the interface the way I would like and using it with a passion. :)

Should I run into any problems or issues I am not able to solve should they be addressed here or should I start a new thread?
Thinking the latter might be more appropriate.
 
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